mark valley

'Harry's Law' sounded like a great idea in theory: Take the proven success of a quirky David E. Kelley legal drama (who didn't love 'Boston Legal' and 'Ally McBeal'?), add Kathy Bates in her first series regular TV role ever and voila, right? Wrong.

While I admittedly didn't watch the entire first season of the show last year (it was that bad), I saw enough to know that the show was very proud of going over the top in a way that men dressed as flamingos and women hallucinating dancing babies would shake their heads at.

Harriet Korn's legal office-slash-shoe shop, her ragtag team and her insatiable need to disrupt courtrooms with nonsense asides and clever comebacks were truly cringe-worthy at times.

But somehow, the show is back for a second season, with some castmembers leaving, a few tweaks and several fresh faces to hopefully turn things around. Will it work? I took one for the team and watched tonight's 'Harry's Law' Season 2 premiere (Wed., Sept. 21, 9PM ET on NBC) so you don't have to.

'Human Target' alum Mark Valley has found a new gig. (And no, he's not taking the seat in the pilot's cockpit on ABC's 'Pan Am' like many of us had hoped.)

With his most recent Fox drama getting the axe after just two seasons of comic book-inspired vigilante justice, Valley is now headed back to the courtroom and back to work with David E. Kelley, this time for Season 2 of NBC's 'Harry's Law.'

'Harry's Law' stars Kathy Bates as Harriet "Harry" Kern, a former patent lawyer-turned-legal defense for the common man. Her new practice is run out of a shoe store, a quirk that should come as no surprise considering Kelley's offbeat brand of dramedy.

The show made headlines last month for droppingmutually parting ways with two of its series regulars, Brittany Snow and Aml Ameen. Now Valley will take over the job alongside recently cast Broadway star Karen Olivo.

Both Valley and Olivo will be playing new members of Harriet's team of lawyers.

Christopher Chance (Mark Valley) is the title character on 'Human Target' ... but that doesn't mean he's the only target out there. On the new episode (Wed., 8PM ET on Fox), we learn more about the back-story of Chance's partner Winston (Chi McBride). Winston is an ex-cop, and now he's targeting the man who took everything from him; his job, his reputation ... even his wife.

And so, Winston goes after Lieutenant Broward (Nick Chinlund) -- a dirty cop and his own greatest personal enemy. Back when he was on the police force, Winston staked his entire reputation on his ability to take Broward down ... and he failed. Now, eight years later, Winston has a second chance.

There's the old expression that you should never play with fire. And there should be some equivalent expression about "never playing with explosives" ... except it's not necessary to remind anyone of that. Playing with explosives? No one would do such a stupid thing. Except for our heroes on 'Human Target' (Wed., 8PM ET on Fox).

Ames (Janet Montgomery) is a new member of the team. But she's also a former thief, and pretty soon, she gets sucked back into her old ways. Her ex-partner Brody (J.D. Pardo) provides her with a convenient excuse. Brody isn't just an old partner, he's Ames' oldest friend. He needs her help, and she gives it -- as the pair steal explosives for a guy named Mr. Markus (Hakeem Kae-Kazim).

On a show like this, someone named "Mr. Markus" just has to be a really bad guy -- and he is. He traps Ames and Brody into doing one last job: a diamond heist. Now, in order to save Ames, Christopher Chance (Mark Valley) has to go along for the ride.

It might be time to take a chance. On the season two premiere of 'Human Target' (Wed., 8PM ET on Fox),Christopher Chance (Mark Valley) has decided to retire from the business. Mr. Chance is a security expert. His goal is to protect the innocent, and so he integrates himself into the lives of his clients -- putting himself in harm's way, and becoming the human target of the title.

But when his partner Winston (Chi McBride) is kidnapped and tortured, Chris decides that things have gone too far. He doesn't want his friends to become "targets" as well. He quits his job, but is called back at the summons of billionaire widow Ilsa Pucci (Indira Varma).

Ilsa fears for her life after the mysterious death of her husband. Now she lives in terror, protected behind bulletproof glass windows. Chance is brought in to solve the case.

Fox's adrenaline-fueled drama 'Human Target' has made a habit of dodging bullets. The show's entertaining (but underwatched) first season garnered reasonable ratings and modest critical approval, but failed to set audiences alight in the way network execs were probably hoping for as their flagship action show '24' sailed into the sunset.

After a tense few months on the bubble, 'Human Target' was renewed, only to stare down the barrel of another ominous threat: a Friday night death slot, where even the most tenacious shows often fail to draw ratings, let alone improve on their established audience. But the death of 'Lone Star' and the subsequent shift of 'Lie To Me' to Monday night left a ripe spot on Wednesdays for the scrappy sophomore drama to plant its flag and make its mark.

TV Squad was among a group of journalists invited to the Vancouver set ahead of the season 2 premiere, and if what we saw is any indication, 'Human Target' is back with a vengeance, and it's taking no prisoners this time around. Find out why star Chi McBride described season 2 to us as "a grenade with the pin pulled out."

'Human Target' is back and sexier than ever. With two new ladies joining Chance and the crew -- one as a beautiful billionaire boss and the other as a tough-talking team member -- the return of one of last year's most intriguing new series is definitely something to sing about. So, that's exactly what star Chi McBride did for me right here.

I also chat with Tom Pizzica, 'The Next Food Network Star' runner-up who has a Big Chef-worthy new show called 'Outrageous Food.' (Does the idea of a 105-pound hamburger make anyone else a little nauseous?)

Then I stop by the set of Fox's new hit sitcom 'Raising Hope' to get some fan questions answered and uncover a big change coming. You think Jimmy can't grocery store stalk Sabrina any more than he already does? Wait until you see this.

Got questions? E-mail me TV questions at TheTVShowGirl@aol.com and I'll try to get you answers on the show. -- By Maggie Furlong

'Human Target' is back for a second season. It has a new executive producer Matthew Miller ('Chuck'), who told thousands of fans at Comic Con on Saturday that he's bringing some ladies into Christopher Chance's life.

Indira Varma ('Rome') becomes not only Chance's new client but also his new boss. "She plays a woman who's married to a 'Paul Allen' type, who dies under mysterious circumstances," previews Miller. "She decides that the team has some value and she takes it over. She becomes a female Charlie [Townsend], giving the guys access to a billionaire's toys -- her jets, cars. It'll give the show an international feel."

Miller says the team will also get a new female member, who hasn't been cast yet. "She's a little younger [than Varma's character], 22 years old. She's a thief with a background more similar to Chance and Guerrero's.

"Guys just love to have a woman tell them what to do," chuckles series regular Chi McBride (Winston.) "It'll set up great tension and comedy. Indira isn't bad to look at [either]!"

Fans asked if Mark Valley's real-life military training helps him play Chance. "We had some training when I was a freshman at West Point," he recalls. "We fought with these sticks. I really hit a guy [with mine] and he got angry and beat me up."

Why should FOX renew 'Human Target' for a second season? It all comes down to a three letter word. And that three letter word is "sex."

OK, actually that's not the word. The word I'm thinking of is "fun." We could sit here and come up with logical, specific reasons why 'Human Target' should be renewed. The stories are good, the cast is good, the season finale cliffhanger was well done, FOX is going to need an action show like this since '24' is in its last season, etc. And all of those things are true, but the main reason I want this show renewed is the same reason I want NBC's 'Chuck' to be renewed: it's a fun show.

(S01E12) "Christopher Chance is the guy you go to when no one else can help you." - Christopher Chance to, er, Christopher Chance!

Last night's great season finale was capped off by a cliffhanger ending straight outta 'The Empire Strikes Back' -- a major player went missing, the plot was left unresolved, and a swelling John Williams-esque score filled the final moments. The cliffhanger felt even more poignant since Fox has yet to announce a second season renewal for 'Human Target.'

Hopefully, the network will take a, er, chance and order another full season of the show. 'Human Target' turned out to be one of the best and most enjoyable new series to premiere in the last few months. I've had a blast tagging along with Chance, Winston and Guerrero on their crazy adventures, and I'd love to see the boys regroup and save the day over and over again for another few years.

What's in a name? On the drama 'Human Target' (Wed., 8PM ET on Fox), Mark Valley plays Christopher Chance, a bodyguard who goes undercover each week to protect his clients. But on the latest episode, we learn that "Christopher Chance" is a name with a long tradition. Valley meets special guest Lee Majors -- that's right, The Six Million Dollar Man himself! And then we learn more about Chance's background.

If you haven't been tuning in to 'Human Target,' it's not too late to start this week. The season finale ('Christopher Chance'), which airs tonight at 8PM ET on Fox, presents the perfect opportunity for new and existing fans alike to get a glimpse into the back stories of the series' three lead characters.

'Human Target' -- about mysterious and clever private security contractor Christopher Chance (Mark Valley) who has his own set of rules to protect clients from dangerous and imminent threats -- is original, refreshing, fun and action-packed. Jackie Earle Haley, who plays Chance's well-connected, tech savvy and trustworthy friend Guerrero, accurately describes 'Human Target' as a show where fans "grab a beer, sit on the couch, throw their feet up and take a ride."

Chance rubbed elbows with royalty on last night's 'Human Target.' But while Fox's pre-show introduction (starring a couple of 'Glee' kids) promised big thrills and explosions, "Victoria" failed to deliver any truly spectacular action sequences. At least we got to see the show sorta return to its original premise, with Chance posing as someone close to the client to protect her from the threat. It seems like he hasn't done that in quite a while.

Winston and Guerrero got themselves into a pretty tight spot during this ep. It's always fun to see these two paired up out in the field instead of stuck in a room staring at computer screens or talking on cell phones. Follow me after the jump to discuss last night's Crown conspiracy.

Christopher Chance (Mark Valley) is the star of 'Human Target' (Wed., 8PM ET on Fox). He's a private special agent who goes undercover every week to protect the lives of his clients. On the latest episode of the show, Chance finds himself in a very British situation: he's protecting Princess Victoria (Christina Cole), a member of the English royal family. To make things even more British, the two of them find themselves in a shoot-out in a room filled with swords, shields, and ancient suits of armor.

(S01E10) Sorry about the late review, folks. My systems were still acting a little wonky after that EMP blast on '24' the other week, but everything seems to be working A-OK now (yes, I am a robot, a TV lovin' robot). So let's take a few and talk about our favorite Death Retardant Specialist, Christopher Chance.

SuperChance flew to a remote Alaskan island to rescue a selfless doctor, played by the perfectly adequate Moon Bloodgood, from a team of corporate-financed baddies. But what started out as a simple find and flee job soon turned into a mission to unearth a deadly conspiracy. Follow me after the jump for spoilers.